Food Preparation Workers Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $33,280 -2.7% vs national
Median hourly $16.00
10th percentile $26,710
90th percentile $42,780
Employed locally 5,240
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Milwaukee, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,710
    25th
    $29,600
    50th (median)
    $33,280
    75th
    $37,780
    90th
    $42,780

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 44% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 56% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $37,330
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $35,830
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $35,660
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $35,360
    Madison, WI $35,260
    Lewiston, ID-WA $35,210

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,210
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,910
    Bartenders $24,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,560
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,540
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Milwaukee?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Milwaukee, WI is $16.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.12 or more per hour.

    Is Milwaukee above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Milwaukee, WI is 2.7% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,710 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,600.